The renting guide

What to check before you pay anything

Renting in the Kathmandu valley turns on a handful of details that never make it into a listing. Here is what experienced renters ask about, and what a fair price looks like.

Six things to check at the viewing

1
Ask which days the water comes
Pipeline supply does not run every day in most of the valley. Ask how often it arrives, how big the storage tank is, and what the household does when the tank runs out. A place on tanker water alone can add a few thousand rupees a month in the dry season.
2
Look for a separate electricity meter
With your own meter you pay the NEA bill for exactly what you use. On a shared meter the landlord splits the bill, so agree the per-unit rate in writing before you move in — this is one of the most common sources of disputes.
3
Stand in the room at midday
A south-facing room with real sunlight is dramatically warmer and drier in winter, when most rooms have no heating. Damp patches on the wall and a musty smell are the signs to walk away from.
4
Check the parking before you agree
Confirm whether a scooter or car actually fits, whether the gate is locked at night, and whether parking costs extra. Many listings say parking is available when they mean there is space on the street.
5
Settle the deposit and the notice period
One month's rent as advance is typical, and some landlords ask more for flats. Get a receipt, agree in writing how much notice each side must give, and confirm the exact condition for getting the deposit back.
6
Test the water pressure on the top floor
Top floor and terrace rooms are bright and private, but pressure can be weak and the room heats up in summer. Run the tap and the shower while you are there.

What rooms roughly cost

Indicative monthly ranges for the Kathmandu valley. Treat them as a sanity check rather than a price list — the same flat can differ by thousands between Jhamsikhel and Kirtipur.

Type	Monthly rent
Single room, shared bathroomCommon for students and single workers	Rs. 4,000 – Rs. 8,000
Single room, attached bathroomUsually includes a small kitchen corner	Rs. 7,000 – Rs. 12,000
Room in a shared flatSplit between flatmates	Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 12,000
1BHK flatOne bedroom, hall, kitchen	Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 22,000
2BHK flatFamilies and small groups	Rs. 22,000 – Rs. 80,000
Full houseVaries hugely by area and age of the building	Rs. 1,00,000 – Rs. 2,00,000

Staying safe

Visit the room and meet the landlord before any money changes hands.
Never send an advance to someone who will not meet you at the property.
Pay the deposit in person and take a receipt, however informal.
Agree the notice period and the deposit refund conditions in writing.

Common questions

What do I get for the Rs. 50 unlock?: The landlord's phone number for that room, with a direct call and WhatsApp link. It is a one-time payment for that one room, not a subscription, and it stays unlocked in your account.
Why hide the number at all?: Because a public number gets buried under broker calls. A small fee means the landlord only hears from people who are seriously looking, which is exactly why landlords are willing to post here.
Is it free for landlords?: Yes. Posting a room costs nothing and always will. Landlords earn nothing from the unlock either — it exists to filter out time wasters, not to make money from listings.
How do I know a listing is still available?: Every listing shows when it was posted, and anyone can flag a room as already rented. Once a few people report the same room it stops appearing in search. If you find a stale one, please report it.
What is Melamchi water?: It is the pipeline supply that brings water into the Kathmandu valley. Where it reaches, it is the cheapest and most convenient option, but it runs on a schedule rather than all day. Boring means the building pumps its own groundwater, and tanker means water is bought and delivered by truck.
How do I avoid a rental scam?: Never send money to someone you have not met at the property. Visit the room, meet the landlord, and only pay a deposit in person against a receipt. No genuine landlord in Nepal needs an advance before you have seen the room.

Six things to check at the viewing

Ask which days the water comes

Pipeline supply does not run every day in most of the valley. Ask how often it arrives, how big the storage tank is, and what the household does when the tank runs out. A place on tanker water alone can add a few thousand rupees a month in the dry season.

Look for a separate electricity meter

With your own meter you pay the NEA bill for exactly what you use. On a shared meter the landlord splits the bill, so agree the per-unit rate in writing before you move in — this is one of the most common sources of disputes.

Stand in the room at midday

A south-facing room with real sunlight is dramatically warmer and drier in winter, when most rooms have no heating. Damp patches on the wall and a musty smell are the signs to walk away from.

Check the parking before you agree

Confirm whether a scooter or car actually fits, whether the gate is locked at night, and whether parking costs extra. Many listings say parking is available when they mean there is space on the street.

Settle the deposit and the notice period

One month's rent as advance is typical, and some landlords ask more for flats. Get a receipt, agree in writing how much notice each side must give, and confirm the exact condition for getting the deposit back.

Test the water pressure on the top floor

Top floor and terrace rooms are bright and private, but pressure can be weak and the room heats up in summer. Run the tap and the shower while you are there.

What rooms roughly cost

Indicative monthly ranges for the Kathmandu valley. Treat them as a sanity check rather than a price list — the same flat can differ by thousands between Jhamsikhel and Kirtipur.

Type	Monthly rent
Single room, shared bathroomCommon for students and single workers	Rs. 4,000 – Rs. 8,000
Single room, attached bathroomUsually includes a small kitchen corner	Rs. 7,000 – Rs. 12,000
Room in a shared flatSplit between flatmates	Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 12,000
1BHK flatOne bedroom, hall, kitchen	Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 22,000
2BHK flatFamilies and small groups	Rs. 22,000 – Rs. 80,000
Full houseVaries hugely by area and age of the building	Rs. 1,00,000 – Rs. 2,00,000

Common questions

What do I get for the Rs. 50 unlock?

The landlord's phone number for that room, with a direct call and WhatsApp link. It is a one-time payment for that one room, not a subscription, and it stays unlocked in your account.

Why hide the number at all?

Because a public number gets buried under broker calls. A small fee means the landlord only hears from people who are seriously looking, which is exactly why landlords are willing to post here.

Is it free for landlords?

Yes. Posting a room costs nothing and always will. Landlords earn nothing from the unlock either — it exists to filter out time wasters, not to make money from listings.

How do I know a listing is still available?

Every listing shows when it was posted, and anyone can flag a room as already rented. Once a few people report the same room it stops appearing in search. If you find a stale one, please report it.

What is Melamchi water?

It is the pipeline supply that brings water into the Kathmandu valley. Where it reaches, it is the cheapest and most convenient option, but it runs on a schedule rather than all day. Boring means the building pumps its own groundwater, and tanker means water is bought and delivered by truck.

How do I avoid a rental scam?

Never send money to someone you have not met at the property. Visit the room, meet the landlord, and only pay a deposit in person against a receipt. No genuine landlord in Nepal needs an advance before you have seen the room.